A stack of data is expected to be published today in what is a busy last trading day of the week.

The USD strengthened over late trading, sending paired currencies down overnight. The EURUSD opened at $1.10718 and remained steady early in the day before climbing mid-session to a high of $1.10963. The euro fell from those highs shortly afterwards, hitting lows of $1.10514 late in the day. It has come off those lows and is currently trading at $1.10595. The GBPUSD followed a similar path to the euro after opening the day at $1.29222. The pound remained steady earlier before climbing to a high $1.29697 midway through the day. The pair fell away from those highs over late trading, bottoming-out at $1.28923. It has bounced off those lows and is currently trading at $1.29148.

The Dow traded in a tight range for most of the day, unsure which direction it wanted to head. It started the day at 27,705.95 and dipped to lows of 27,671.67 early. The index lifted off those lows, peaking at 27,866.76 mid-session. The Dow came of those highs soon after, closing at 27,776.50. The Dax made some modest gains overnight, reversing a negative trend that has plagued it this week. The German index began the day at 13,109.57 and quickly slipped to lows of 13,041.74. It spent the majority of the day marching upwards, hitting a high of 13,180.98 late before closing at 13,167.12.

The day ahead sees the release of a multitude of data, with most of it emanating from Europe. Europe will be publishing a stack of PMI data for the continent as a whole as well as Germany and France. The UK and US will also be publishing similar PMI data.

Figures published today include:

Japan – Flash Manufacturing PMI

Canada – Retail & Core Retail Sales

UK – Flash Manufacturing & Services PMIs

US – Flash Manufacturing & Services PMIs, Revised UoM Consumer Sentiment & Inflation Expectations

Europe – European, German and French Flash Manufacturing & Services PMIs, German Final GDP, ECB president Christine Legarde and German Buba President Jens Weidmann speak

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